By a 4-2 vote, council instead approved a budget amendment that adds four new paramedics rather than EMTs, bringing the total number from 27 to 31. The amendment also eliminated plans to create four shift-supervisor positions.

David Van Allen, Allentown EMS bureau manager, said his proposal was based on a year of research into best practices across the state.

He said council's rejection of it was not fact-based, but based on the opinions of "laypeople" on the council.

"With all due respect, I don't feel like I'm managing my own department," Van Allen said. "I feel like other people are managing my department."

"I'm deeply distressed by what has happened here," she said. "I believe we have micromanaged a department upon which my life could depend."

Van Allen had sought to add a new ambulance with two EMTs and no paramedics to respond to basic life support issues, thus freeing the paramedics to handle more serious calls.

That idea did not sit well with some council members. D'Amore said he had received a great deal of feedback from medical professionals who said the reorganization would have been a step backward.

He also repeated his previous suggestion that the proposal came from pressure by Mayor Ed Pawlowski based on a desire to eventually privatize Allentown EMS.

That angered Pawlowski, who shouted from his seat among the audience that the claims were entirely untrue.

"It's ridiculous," he said. "I have no intention of that. You obviously want to take sucker punches at me."

The budget will be voted upon Dec. 7. The $84.9 million spending plan would not raise taxes, but seeks to raise water and sewer fees by 5 percent and increase garbage fees by $35.

However, Van Allen said council rejecting his reorganization plans will create a deficit in excess of $100,000 that will have to be addressed. D'Amore disputed that statement.

Council passed several other budget amendments Wednesday night, including the addition of two parks and recreation employees, uniforms for crossing guards, and an extra $100,000 to water and sewer contingency funds for infrastructure emergencies.

Donovan proposed an amendment that would add 20 police officers and four neighborhood coordinators to the city, resulting in a property tax hike of more than 10 percent.

Donovan acknowledged the amendment had little, if any, chance of passing due to the tax increase, but presented it as a symbolic statement to invest in better connections with the city's residents, particularly the Latino population.

Council did not vote on Donovan's amendment, and instead tabled it for further discussion next month.

They also tabled an amendment by Councilman Julio Guridy, who was not present Wednesday night, to add $50,000 in Spanish language training for city employees who deal with the public.

Eichenwald, who taught Spanish for more than 30 years, urged council to reject Guridy's amendment and volunteered to offer the lessons herself for free.

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Editor's Note: This story originally included an incorrect amount of paramedics proposed to be hired. Incorrect information was provided to The Express-Times. The story has since been corrected.